Gov. Janet Mills (D) stated during a Maine Public Radio interview earlier this week that she has not “taken a position” on the proposed California-style electric vehicle (EV) mandates currently under consideration by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP).
This statement came in response to a listener’s question inquiring what the state is doing to expand access to EV charging and to upgrade the state’s electrical infrastructure.
As part of her answer, Mills noted that the state has appropriated “some money” toward the cause, specifically pointing toward the state’s acquisition of “a significant amount of federal money,” as well as the appropriation of funds from the Efficiency Maine Trust that are “not tax dollars” for EV rebates and charging station installations.
Mills then added that she would “prefer to provide incentives rather than some sort of punitive measures” when comes to making the move toward EVs.
She then shifted to talking about the California-style regulations that were brought before the Maine DEP by Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) via the state’s citizens’ initiative process.
If passed, the rules would essentially require that EVs make up a predetermined percentage of new truck and passenger vehicle sales in the state, a share that would increase annually for the next several years.
[RELATED: Maine Considering California-style Rules to Limit Sales of Gas-Powered Cars and Trucks]
After stating that she has not taken a position on the proposed rules, Mills continued by saying that “it’s not our proposal.”
“It’s not our proposal, but they’re looking at trucks versus cars,” she said. “And I think there might be some very different opinions about each of those.”
The intensity of Mainers’ thoughts on these proposed regulations was on full display earlier this summer at the Maine DEP’s public hearing on the matter.
More than a hundred people turned out for the hearing at the Augusta Civic Center, and nearly ninety individuals signed up to testify. In fact, there was such a large turnout that morning that there was standing-room only in the conference room — even after extra chairs were brought in by staff.
[RELATED: Massive Turnout for Public Hearing on Proposed California-Style Vehicle Emissions Regulations]
Mills then briefly mentioned her understanding of the market for and sale of EVs in Maine at the moment.
“There’s also a supply chain issue right now, when I talk to vendors and, you know, car dealers, they have problems keeping up with the demand,” she said.
Following this, Mills discussed how her administration seeks to “lead by example” when it comes to the electrification of transportation.
“I issued an executive order several years ago that says we must lead by example. And when we need to buy new vehicles for state government purposes, I always look first to electric vehicles whenever available, whenever possible to, to purchase for our state employees,” she said.
Municipal efforts to electrify public transportation have recently been complicated by the bankruptcy of Proterra, the company that currently serves as the sole supplier of electric buses in Maine.
Pushing to expand the use of EVs in Maine has raised concerns for some as a result of the complications associated with operating them in cold environments like Maine.
Scientific studies have found that the capacity of EV batteries is significantly diminished in cold weather, as is its charging efficiency.
In addition to this, EVs need to utilize extra power to heat the cab of a vehicle — unlike a traditional gas-powered vehicle which draws in heat off the engine — meaning that its range would be even lower in practice than is typically estimated.
[RELATED: Electric Vehicles vs. Maine Winters: Will EVs struggle with Maine’s frigid cold?]
The fate of the proposed electric vehicle regulations, as well as of the state’s push to electrify its own fleet of vehicles, is not yet clear.
Because the rules are not classified as “Major Substantive”, they will not require the Legislature’s approval to become implemented.
All that is required is Mills’ signoff.
9 Comments
Consumer choice, not mandates, period
Whenever the government, in any capacity, mandates, subsidizes or encourages us in any way to buy a certain product, it is a LARGE step toward socialism/communism. As Craig stated, consumer choice, NOT mandates, period!
As an EV owner, I approached recently the driver of a Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard electric bus and asked, “How is it going?” He said they drive well but they’ve had many problems with the electric buses. The range is insufficient for the bus to make its usual rounds on a daily basis without needing a lengthy recharge thus taking it out of service each day. He also mentioned that they had battery problems that had to be replaced by the manufacturer. It’s clear that even in the warm months, the EV bus is not ready for prime time. I had expected a positive response from the driver, instead I got a case of the unvarnished truth.
As an EV owner, I approached recently the driver of a Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard electric bus and asked, “How is it going?” He said they drive well but they’ve had many problems with the electric buses. The range is insufficient for the bus to make its usual rounds on a daily basis without needing a lengthy recharge thus taking it out of service each day. He also mentioned that they had battery problems that had to be replaced by the manufacturer. It’s clear that even in the warm months, the EV bus is not ready for prime time. I had expected a positive response from the driver, instead I got a case of the unvarnished truth.
Janet Mills couldn’t find her way out of a paper bag without a guidebook and anyone considering an electric vehicle hasn’t taken into consideration the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the battery pack they are sitting on. The roof of the EV effectively shields the outside world from the EMR and contain it inside the cabin so your body can soak in this radiation bath the entire time you are driving it. This is the #1 reason why cancer rates are climbing among the idiots who were stupid enough to buy an EV. My only wish is for Mills to stay inside an EV long enough…….
CRAIG AND JAKE…SPOT ON!!! UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE TOO MANY ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE TOO EASILY BOUGHT.
Well, when we look at the genius that is California with regular brown outs and a shaky electrical infrastructure, I can see why Maine in a cold weather climate would be clamoring to follow California’s lead on EV’s. But let’s not stop there, let’s have State Government dictate that Maine residents must purchase more expensive transportation at a time when electrical rates are skyrocketing. Even greater genius. And after you purchase that EV, the life expectancy on the batteries is about 100,000 miles. To replace those batteries is painfully expensive, in many cases more than the value of the vehicle. But EV’s are better for the environment right? How many tons of ore have to be mined to build an EV battery? And how many more acres of Maine landscape have to be filled with solar panels and windmills to power our new fleet of EV’s? This isn’t leadership, it’s control. Maine is filled with hard-working, practical people, trying to provide for their families, how does dictating EV’s help that process?
Well, when we look at the genius that is California with regular brown outs and a shaky electrical infrastructure, I can see why Maine in a cold weather climate would be clamoring to follow California’s lead on EV’s. But let’s not stop there, let’s have State Government dictate that Maine residents must purchase more expensive transportation at a time when electrical rates are skyrocketing. Even greater genius. And after you purchase that EV, the life expectancy on the batteries is about 100,000 miles. To replace those batteries is painfully expensive, in many cases more than the value of the vehicle. But EV’s are better for the environment right? How many tons of ore have to be mined to build an EV battery? And how many more acres of Maine landscape have to be filled with solar panels and windmills to power our new fleet of EV’s? This isn’t leadership, it’s control. Maine is filled with hard-working, practical people, trying to provide for their families, how does dictating EV’s help that process?
Mills will take a position if someone dangles enough money in front of her face…as do most political hacks.